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US President Donald Trump sounded optimistic on Monday about ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza, telling reporters at the White House that ceasefire talks were “progressing very well” as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
Trump claimed that Hamas was showing readiness to end the nearly two-year conflict, saying, “They’re looking to meet and they want that ceasefire.” His remarks came despite recent indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar failing to secure an agreement, although further discussions are expected in the coming days.
When asked what was stalling peace efforts in Gaza, Trump brushed aside concerns, insisting, “I don’t think there is a hold-up. I think things are going along very well.”
The two leaders were also questioned on reported plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Trump indicated he had secured cooperation from neighbouring countries, while Netanyahu explained that Israel and the US were exploring options to ensure a “better future” for Palestinians willing to leave.
“If they want to stay, they can stay, but if they choose to leave, they should be able to,” Netanyahu stated.
The Palestinian presidency has repeatedly dismissed any relocation proposals, arguing such moves would violate international law.
Netanyahu further dampened expectations for Palestinian statehood, asserting that Israel would maintain security control over Gaza indefinitely.
“People might say it’s not a full state, and that’s fine by us,” he remarked.
In a diplomatic nod, Netanyahu announced he had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, an ambition the US president has reportedly harboured for years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts on Monday, describing him as a global peacemaker while handing him a formal letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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“He’s making peace happen, country by country, region by region,” Netanyahu remarked during their meeting in Washington, as he presented the nomination letter.
Trump, for his part, had earlier promised to press Netanyahu hard on ending the conflict in Gaza, telling reporters he believed a deal could be secured within the week.
The White House initially planned to keep their dinner private, with officials emphasising that Trump intended to focus on securing a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. However, in a departure from protocol for a president known to stage such diplomatic moments before the media, journalists were eventually allowed limited coverage.
Under the latest US-backed ceasefire proposal, Hamas would release 10 hostages alive and hand over the remains of 18 others in five phases spanning a 60-day truce. In return, Israel would free an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and pull back troops from areas of Gaza it now occupies, estimated to be about two-thirds of the territory.
However, negotiations remain fraught. A major sticking point involves humanitarian aid: Hamas is demanding an end to the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, while Israeli negotiators have declined to discuss the matter, saying it falls outside their mandate.
During his Washington visit, Netanyahu also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss ceasefire options and regional security.
As his motorcade approached the White House, demonstrators gathered nearby, waving Palestinian flags and calling for his arrest. Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif remain under International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in November for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu has dismissed the charges as antisemitic attacks, while the Trump administration has since sanctioned four ICC judges, condemning what it called “groundless moves against the United States and our close ally, Israel.”
